ECOLOGY

These flightless birds typically inhabit isolated tropical islands devoid of predators. Their size and unfamiliarity with natural dangers contribute to a kind of racial boldness—or what some would call stupidity—causing them to bumble into precarious situations and making them easy targets for other creatures. The birds can easily be caught and slain, but their meat has a most unpleasant taste. Few shipwrecked sailors would turn it down, however.